I often tell students that being a scientist requires an odd combination of zero respect for authority and a high tolerance for boredom.
I feel you on the diffusion of accomplishment. I've now taught over a thousand students, and if any of them does anything cool, I can tell myself that I contributed to that in some small way.
Beautiful perspective (and post), Danielle. Reminds me of long, tedious lab days and things that didn't work out. There's always this kind of tension between chasing the sublime (snow leopard, Venus, Moby Dick) and realizing that the pursuit is likely not to come to a good end. Switching the perspective to a collective view is both inspiring and so, so hard :).
Aww thank you, Gunnar. It’s SO hard. But it’s also how I keep from getting too envious when writers like yourself put out such a tremendous volume of great stuff. Genuinely glad to see so many on here taking (and making) so many shots! I may get there one day…
I often tell students that being a scientist requires an odd combination of zero respect for authority and a high tolerance for boredom.
I feel you on the diffusion of accomplishment. I've now taught over a thousand students, and if any of them does anything cool, I can tell myself that I contributed to that in some small way.
I’m sure your contributions are much bigger than they feel—teachers have such an important impact. Thanks for reading!
Beautiful perspective (and post), Danielle. Reminds me of long, tedious lab days and things that didn't work out. There's always this kind of tension between chasing the sublime (snow leopard, Venus, Moby Dick) and realizing that the pursuit is likely not to come to a good end. Switching the perspective to a collective view is both inspiring and so, so hard :).
Aww thank you, Gunnar. It’s SO hard. But it’s also how I keep from getting too envious when writers like yourself put out such a tremendous volume of great stuff. Genuinely glad to see so many on here taking (and making) so many shots! I may get there one day…
Writer’s envy hits us all. (And yet, I hope it doesn’t hit you too hard; your writing is a joy to read!)